Lacer



M. F. BROGAN LACR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-11,1915,

1,195,131. Patented Aug. 15, .1916.

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g FETQEQ MICHAEL E. BROGAN, OF LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

LACER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

Application filed August 11, 1915. Serial No. 44,946.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MICHAEL F. BROGAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Lacers, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to detachable fasteners for securing together the lacing edges of shoe uppers and is designed to provide a construction of fastener particularly adapted for the requirements of turn shoe work.

In the manufacture of turn shoes, two lasting operations take place. The first lasting operation occurs before the upper has been stitched to the sole while turned wrong side out. In this relation of the parts the sole will be positioned within the upper and will necessarily cause the lacing edges to be spaced apart a greater distance than when the sole is out side of the upper. The second lasting operation occurs after the stitched shoe has been pulled from the last and turned so that it is right side out with the sole upon the outside of the upper. After being turned the last is inserted and the shoe is shaped to the last. In the second or relasting operation, the space between the lacing edges of the upper will be less because of the fact that the sole has been removed from within the upper. My invention pro vides a fastener or lacer for this type of shoe, which is adapted to the different spacings of the lacing edges necessitated by the two lasting operations. I have devised a fastener constructed to accomplish these ends, which may be readily applied to the upper and detached therefrom and which may be easily manufactured at low cost.

In the embodiment selected for illustration, the fastener may be formed integrally from a single length of material, such as wire, or from a single piece of material as by stamping. V

In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, a plurality of spaced bars are provided, which bars are arranged to extend transversely of a shoe upper between its lacing edges with their ends inserted through opposite eyelets or other lacing apertures, these ends being formed to provide abutnients engaging the upper to limit the spacing of the lacing edges. The limiting abut ments in the specific embodiment illustrated, are positioned adjacent the ends of the bars and are operative to limit the spacing of the lacing edges when both ends are inserted through the eyelets from the same face of the upper,in the present instance, the under face of the upper.

Additional abutment surfaces are provided for the bars, which surfaces will engage with the upper when the fastener is inserted from the opposite face of the shoe upper and will, in cooperation, with one of the end abutments of the bars, provide a different limit of spacing between the lacing edges.

In the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a turn shoe on the last during the first lastmg operation, with a fastener constructed in accordance with the present invention, applied to the lacing edges to provide one limit of separation of these edges; Fig. 2 shows the shoe after it has been turned and the last inserted for the second lasting or relasting operation, the fastener shown in Fig. 1 being applied to the lacing edges to secure a different spacing of these edges for the second lasting operation; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the fastener detached; and Fig. 4 illustrates in perspective a modified form of the fastener.

In the drawings, 2 designates the lasts upon which the shoe is secured during the two lasting operations, L designates the sole and 6 the upper. In Fig. l of the drawings, the sole 4 and upper'6. are shown as arranged in side out upon the last, so that the sole tends to space the lacing edges of the upper apart to a greater extent than would be the case were the sole in its proper position outside of the upper. The lacing edges are designated by the numerals 8 and 10. "When the shoe is turned for the relasting operation, the parts occupy the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, with the sole outside of the upper, thereby permitting the lacing edges 8 and 10 to be held more closely together.

The fastener shown applied to the lacing edges in Figs. 1 and 2 is preferably formed from a single length of wire bent and doubled to form a plurality of spaced bars 12, curved to conform to the curvature of the upper front portion of a last and having adjacent each end an upwardly extending eyelet engaging shoulder 11 substantially at right angles thereto, the ends of the bars extending outwardly from these shoulders forming tongues 18 which are adapted to extend through the eyelets with the adjacent shoulders 1 1 engaging the edges of the eyelets and forming abutments to limit the separation or spacing of the lacing edges. The plurality of spaced bars 12 are connected by laterally offset integral arms 16, formed by a single strand and positioned between the abutments or shoulders 11 and at a distance from the shoulders at one side of the fastener corresponding to the difference in spacing between the lacing edges during the first and second lasting operations. These bars 16 themselves form additional abutments which, in cooperation with the non-adjacent abutment shoulders 11 and in a certain position of the fastener relatively to the upper, provide means for effecting a different limit of spacing between the lacing edges.

In the form of fastener shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the tongues 18 of the terminal bars of the series are preferably bent outwardly and in opposite directions through less than a right angle to prevent accidental detachment from the engaged eyelets. This construction, while desirable for blucher work, is not absolutely essential and the fastener may be constructed with the tongues extending in the longitudinal line of the bars, as is the case with the tongues at the ends of the intermediate bar shown in Fig. 3.

The fastener heretofore described is applied to the lacing edges of uppers of turn shoes for the first lasting operation so as to provide the maximum spacing between the lacing edges thereof. This maximum spacing is secured by inserting the tongues at opposite sides of the fastener through the eyelets or other lacing apertures from the under face of the upper at the lacing edges, as is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In this position of the parts the shoulders 14 at the opposite sides of the fastener will provide abutments which will limit the separation of the edges to the distance between the shoulders 14, this distance being diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 3 by the line AC. lVhen the tongues are not positioned to aline with the eyelets (as when differently spaced or when the end tongues of the series are bent outwardly), the end bars of the series are pressed together to aline the tongues for insertion. After insertion, the release of the end bars from pressure will permit the bars to spring outwardly into their normal, substantially parallel positions, the projecting tongues and the abutment shoulders serving to prevent accidental displacement. lVhen it is desired to remove the fastener from the upper, the lacing edges or flaps are pulled lengthwise from the tongues at one in F i 2 of the drawin s it is necessar to hold the lacing edges closer together, owing to the fact that the sole has been removed from within the upper. The same fastener which has been used in the first lasting operation is applied to the turned shoe by insert- -ing the tongues 18 at one side (the left hand side, Figs. 13) of the fastener through the eyelets of the right hand lacing edge and from the outside face of the flap, these tongues being then moved transversely of the upper and inserted through the opposite eyelets from the under face of the opposite or left hand flap. This will bring the bars 16 against the eyelets at the outside face of one fl'ap at one lacing edge and will bring the shoulders 14 at the opposite side of the fastener against the eyelets at the opposite lacing edge and flap, The amount of separation of the lacing edges is therefore limited to the distance between the shoulders 14.- at one side of the fastener and the connecting arms 16 at the opposite side, or, to the distance indicated diagrammatically at AB in Fig. 3. One fastener, therefore, serves to space the lacing edges the requisite distance for the two lasting operations by inserting the fastener wholly from one face of the upper for one spacing and by inserting the fastener partly from the opposite face of the upper from the other spacing.

The number of bars of the fastener may be varied, as desired, and it is within the scope of this invention to utilize single crossbar having a laterally offset abutment similar to thearm 16,, as well as to provide a series of connected fasteners, such as described. As before stated, the bars need not have their tongues bent at an angle, although this is preferable for certain classes of work.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings, I have illustrated a modification of the fastener shown in Fig. 3, in that a series of five bars 20 are provided, these bars having adjacent to their opposite ends upstanding shoulders or abutments 22 and tongues 24: extending in line with the bars. The bars 20 are connected by arms 26, corresponding to arms 16 of the form shown in Fig. 3. The application of this second form of fastener to the up per is effected in the same manner as the application of the first form.

Having thus described my invention, what 7 plied from one face of the upper, having spaced abutments arranged. to engage opposite sides of the upper to provide one limit of separation for the lacing edges and having spaced abutments arranged, when the bar is applied from the opposite face of the upper, to engage opposite sides of the upper to provide a different limit of separation for the lacing edges.

2. A detachable fastener for shoe uppers comprising a bar constructed and arranged to extend transversely of a shoe upper between its lacing edges with its opposite ends extending through opposite lacing apertures to engage the upper, said bar when both of its ends are inserted through lacing apertures from the inside face of the upper, having spaced abutments arranged to engage the opposite sides of the upper to provide a maximum limit of separation between the lacing edges, and having spaced abutments arranged, when one of the ends of the bar is inserted from the outside face of the upper, to engage the opposite sides of the upper to provide less separation between the lacing edges.

3. A detachable fastener for shoe uppers comprising a bar constructed and arranged to extend transversely of a shoe upper between its lacing edges and to extend through lacing apertures at opposite sides, said bar adjacent to its opposite ends having abutments arranged, when said ends are inserted through their eyelets from the same face of the upper, to engage the upper and provide one limit of spacing between the lacing edges, said bar having also a third abutment positioned adjacent to one of the end abiiitments and arranged, in cooperation with the other end abutment when said end of the bar is inserted through the opposite face of the upper, to engage the upper to provide a different limit of spacing between the eyeleted edges.

4-. A detachable fastener for shoe uppers, comprising a bar constructed and arranged to extend transversely of a shoe upper between its lacing edges with its ends both insorted through opposite lacing apertures from the same face of the upper, said bar having abutments adjacent to its ends adapted to extend through the lacing apertures to engage the upper and provide one limit of spacing between its lacing edges, said bar also having an additional abutment to engage the upper when said bar is inserted from the opposite face of the upper to provide a different limit of spacing between the lacing edges.

5. ii detachable fastener for shoe uppers, comprising a bar constructed and arranged to extend transversely of a shoe upper between its la cing edges with its ends both inserted through opposite lacing apertures from the same face of the upper, said bar having shoulder abutments at or adjacent to its ends adapted to extend through the lacin apertures to engage the upper and provide one limit to the spacing between the lacing edges, said bar also having an additional abutment adjacent to and later ally offset from one of said end abutments and arranged, in cooperation with the other end abutment to engage the upper and provide a different limit of spacing between the lacing edges when the bar is inserted through a lacing aperture from the opposite face of the upper.

6. A detachable fastener for shoe uppers, comprising a plurality of spaced bars constructed and arranged to extend transversely of a shoe upper between its lacing edges with their ends inserted through lacing apertures at opposite sides, said bars being provided at or adjacent to their ends with holding abutments extending through the lacing apertures to engage the upper and provide one limit of spacing between the lacing edges when the ends of the bar are inserted from the same face of the upper, with means forming additional abutments for said bars arranged to engage the upper when the bars are inserted from the opposite face of the upper to provide a different limit of spacing between the eyeleted edges.

7. A detachable fastener for shoe uppers, comprising a plurality of spaced bars constructed and arranged to extend transversely of a shoe upper between its lacing edges with their ends inserted through lacing apertures at opposite sides, said bars being pro vided at or adjacent to their ends with holding abutments extending through the lacing apertures to engage the upper and provide one limit of spacing between the lacing edges when the ends of the bars are inserted from the same face of the upper, and means connecting the bars adjacent to one end forming additional abutment means to engage the upper to provide a different limit of spacing of the lacing edges when the bars are inserted from the opposite face of the upper.

8. A detachable fastener for shoe uppers, comprising an integral wire frame providing a plurality of spaced and connected bars arranged to extend transversely of a shoe upper between its lacing edges with their ends extending through opposite lacing apertures and presenting holding abutments engaging the upper and providing one limit of spac ing between the lacing edges when the bar ends are inserted from the same face of the upper at both lacing edges, the connections between the bars presenting additional abutment means to engage the upper and provide a difl'erent limit of spacing of the lacing edges when the bar ends are inserted from the opposite face of the upper.

9. A detachable fastener for shoe uppers, comprising a bar constructed and arranged to extend transversely of a shoe upper between its lacing edges with its opposite ends extending through opposite lacing apertures to engage the upper, said bar having means arranged to engage the upper when the bar is applied with its opposite ends both inserted from the inside face of the upper to provide one limit of separation between the lacing edges, and arranged when the bar is applied by inserting one end from the outer face of the upper and thence through the lacing aperture at the opposite lacing edge from'the inner face of the upper, to provide a different limit of separation between the lacing edges.

10. A detachable fastener for shoe uppers, comprising a plurality of spaced bars con structed and arranged to extend transversely of a shoe upper between its lacing edges with the ends of the bars inserted through lacing apertures at opposite sides, said bars having holding abutments at or adjacent to their ends, arranged, when both ends are illserted through opposite lacing apertures from the inner face of the upper, to engage with the upper and provide one limit of separation between the lacing edges, said bars having connecting arms laterally offset therefrom forming additional abutment means arranged to engage the upper when the fastener is applied to the upper by insertion from the outer face thereof, and providing in cooperation with the holding abutments at one side of the fastener, a different spacing for the lacing edges.

11. A detachable fastener for shoe uppers formed from a single piece of metal and comprising a bar constructed and arranged to extend transversely of a shoe upper between its lacing edges and through opposite lacing apertures to engage the upper and limit the spacing of its lacing edges, said bar, when inserted wholly from one face of the upper, having means providing one limit of separation for the lacing edges, and providing, when inserted at one lacing edge through the opposite face of the upper, a different limit of separation for the lacing edges.

12. A detachable fastener forshoe uppers formed by bending a length of Wire to provide a bar curved intermediate of its ends to conform substantially to the contour of the upper front face of a last and having abutment shoulders adjacent to its ends, with a laterally offset auxiliary abutment adjacent to one of said shoulders and spaced therefrom in the direction of the opposite shoulder. 7

13. A detachable fastener for the lacing flaps of shoe uppers comprising spaced bars of doubled wire arranged to extend transversely of the upper with abutment shoulders at or adjacent to their ends arranged to extend through opposite lacing apertures in opposite flaps to engage the upper and limit the separation of the lacing flaps to one extent, and a single strand connection between the bars adjacent to one end forming an additional abutment arranged in cooperation with the opposite end abutment shoulders to engage the upper and limit the separation of the lacing flaps to another extent.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

MICHAEL F. BROGAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

